Adjustable resistance nasal devices

Abstract

Described herein are adjustable-resistance respiratory devices, and particularly nasal devices that have an adjustable expiratory resistance while providing a greater resistance to exhalation than to inhalation. The resistance to exhalation may be manually adjustable by a user or remotely adjustable by a third party. For example, described herein are nasal devices having a greater resistance to exhalation than inhalation that includes one or more resistance-modifying members for modifying the resistance of a nasal device. A resistance modifying member may include a cover, a shutter or an adjustable valve for opening/closing a leak pathway through the nasal device. An adjustable-resistance nasal respiratory device may include a control or controls for adjusting the resistance to exhalation. Methods of adjusting the resistance of a nasal device, and systems including nasal devices allowing the resistance to be optimized and/or adjusted are also described.

1 . An adjustable resistance nasal device comprising:
 an airflow resistor configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation;   a holdfast configured to secure the nasal device in communication with a subject's nostril;   a leak pathway through the nasal device that is separate from the airflow resistor and is configured to be open during both exhalation and inhalation; and   a control configured to adjust the expiratory resistance through the nasal device.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a resistance modifying member configured to modify the leak pathway, wherein the resistance modifying member is controlled by the control. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises a shutter configured to at least partially occlude the leak pathway. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises a cover configured to expose or cover the leak pathway. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the cover comprises a pull tab. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises an adjustable valve regulating the leak pathway. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an indicator configured to indicate the expiratory resistance selected by the control. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the leak pathway is a constrictable leak pathway configured so that the size leak pathway may be adjusted by the control. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control is configured to allow manual adjustment of the expiratory resistance. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control is configured to allow remote adjustment of the expiratory resistance. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a driver to drive the resistance modifying member. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect intranasal pressure. 
   
   
       13 . An adjustable resistance nasal device comprising:
 an airflow resistor configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation;   a holdfast configured to secure the nasal device in communication with a subject's nasal cavity;   a leak pathway through the nasal device that is separate from the airflow resistor and configured to be open during both exhalation and inhalation; and   a resistance modifying member configured to allow adjustment of airflow through the leak pathway.   
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising an adjustable control configured to adjust the expiratory resistance through the nasal device by controlling the resistance modifying member. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustable control is a manual control. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustable control is a remote control. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 13 , removable and replaceable cover configured to occlude the leak pathway. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises an adjustable valve. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises a removable cover. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises a shutter. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising an indicator configured to indicate the expiratory resistance. 
   
   
       22 . An adjustable resistance nasal device comprising:
 an airflow resistor configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation, wherein the airflow resistor comprises a plurality of flap valves;   an adhesive holdfast configured to secure the nasal device to a subject's nose;   a leak pathway through the nasal device that is separate from the airflow resistor and configured to be open during both exhalation and inhalation; and   a resistance modifying member comprising a removable tab configured to adjust airflow through the leak pathway.   
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the airflow resistor and adhesive holdfast form a flexible, substantially planar device. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising an indicator to indicate the expiratory resistance. 
   
   
       25 . An adjustable resistance nasal device system comprising:
 a nasal device having an airflow resistor configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation, a holdfast configured to secure the nasal device in communication with a subject's nasal cavity, and a leak pathway through the nasal device configured to be open during both exhalation and inhalation; and   a resistance-modifying member configured to secure to the nasal device and at least partially occlude the leak pathway.   
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the resistance modifying member is a snap-on resistance modifying member configured to mechanically secure to the nasal device. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the resistance modifying member is an adhesive resistance modifying member configured to adhesively secure to the nasal device. 
   
   
       28 . An adjustable resistance nasal device comprising:
 an airflow resistor configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation;   a holdfast configured to secure the nasal device in communication with a subject's nasal cavity; and   a constrictable leak pathway through the nasal device configured to be open during both exhalation and inhalation.   
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the constrictable leak pathway comprises an inflatable bladder. 
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the constrictable leak pathway comprises a swellable material. 
   
   
       31 . A method of controllably adjusting the resistance of a nasal device, wherein the nasal device comprises an airflow resistor configured to have a greater resistance to exhalation than inhalation, a holdfast for securing the nasal device in communication with a subject's nasal cavity and a leak pathway separate from the airflow resistor that is configured to be open during both exhalation and inhalation, the method comprising adjusting the airflow through the leak pathway. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising providing an indicator of the resistance to exhalation. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of adjusting the airflow through the leak pathway comprises at least partially occluding or opening the leak pathway. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising adjusting a control on the nasal device to adjust the airflow through the leak pathway. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising adjusting a control that is remote from the device to adjust the airflow through the leak pathway. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising driving an actuator to adjust the airflow through the leak pathway. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising manipulating a resistance modifying member to adjust airflow through the leak pathway. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises a cover that may be removed or applied to the leak pathway to adjust airflow through the leak pathway. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises a shutter configured to at least partially occlude the leak pathway. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the resistance modifying member comprises an adjustable valve regulating the leak pathway. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of adjusting the airflow through the leak pathway comprises opening or closing the leak pathway. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of adjusting the airflow through the leak pathway comprises constricting or dialing the leak pathway. 
   
   
       43 . A method of controllably adjusting the resistance of a nasal device, wherein the nasal device comprises an airflow resistor configured to have a greater resistance to exhalation than inhalation, a holdfast for securing the nasal device in communication with a subject's nasal cavity and a leak pathway separate from the airflow resistor that is configured to be open during both exhalation and inhalation, the method comprising:
 adjusting the airflow through the leak pathway; and   indicating the resistance to exhalation.   
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising adjusting the airflow through the leak pathway in response to the resistance to exhalation.